North Carolina couple investigated for locking up child in bedroom without food, water

A North Carolina couple is being investigated after their 14-year-old child was found locked in a boarded-up bedroom for days without food and water, police say.

Johnny Rufus Dickson Sr., 41, and Joy Evonne Skipper, 45, of Gastonia, posted bond Saturday after being arrested and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury, the Charlotte Observer reports.

The boy, now in custody of child protective services, was forced to use a bucket in his bedroom as a bathroom and was found dehydrated.

James Withers, a neighbor, told the Charlotte Observer that the boy would often stop by his home to eat and help with chores.

“He was sort of tense like something wasn’t right. You could see it in his eyes,” Withers said.